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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
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Canto 1 · Chapter 15: The Pāṇḍavas Retire Timely
1.15.21.15.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.15.3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.15.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

कृच्छ्रेण संस्तभ्य शुच: पाणिनामृज्य नेत्रयो: ।

परोक्षेण समुन्नद्धप्रणयौत्कण्ठ्यकातर: ॥ ३ ॥

kṛcchreṇa saṁstabhya śucaḥ

pāṇināmṛjya netrayoḥ

parokṣeṇa samunnaddha-

praṇayautkaṇṭhya-kātaraḥ

Translation

With great difficulty he checked the tears of grief that smeared his eyes. He was very distressed because Lord Kṛṣṇa was out of his sight, and he increasingly felt affection for Him.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Separation Deepens Affection for Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Arjuna checked the tears of grief in his eyes with great difficulty.

  2. 2

    He was deeply distressed because Lord Kṛṣṇa was out of his sight.

  3. 3

    As he felt this separation, his affection for Kṛṣṇa increased.

How it feels

Bereavement → Renunciation. The worldly support system recedes and attachment is exposed.

Chapters 13–15 of Canto 1: Dhṛtarāṣṭra departs; Kṛṣṇa disappears; Pāṇḍavas retire. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 15: The Pāṇḍavas Retire Timely

Arjuna grieves over Kṛṣṇa’s departure, and the Pāṇḍavas retire, fixing their minds on His lotus feet.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kṛcchreṇawith great difficulty
  2. saṁstabhyaby checking the force
  3. śucaḥof bereavement
  4. pāṇināwith his hands
  5. āmṛjyasmearing
  6. netrayoḥthe eyes
  7. parokṣeṇadue to being out of sight
  8. samunnaddhaincreasingly
  9. praṇaya-autkaṇṭhyaeagerly thinking of the affection
  10. kātaraḥdistressed
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “distressed”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “separation”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does Arjuna’s increasing affection shape your understanding of his grief?

Practice

Reflect for one minute on the words “he increasingly felt affection for Him.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeparation Deepens Affection for KṛṣṇaThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 1.15.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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